VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Pollster and political consultant Frank Luntz has been closely watching the race for the White House.

"My polling involves intensity and passion and understanding what moves people to come to the points of view that they have, as well as to change those points of view," Luntz explained Friday, at Regent University's latest Executive Leadership Series event.

With his unique style of polling, Luntz has written, supervised, and conducted thousands of surveys, focus groups, and other tests.

So what are Americans saying to him these days?

"We are the most pessimistic that we have been in modern times," he told CBN News.

"We're the most afraid of the future, anxious and angry, and I feel it's important to present to audiences how Americans really think," he said.

Luntz stressed the current state of America and how people are responding.

"The people who go to church at least once a week and pray at least once a day are happier, healthier, more contented with life. Closer to their spouse, closer to their children," he told CBN News.

"It's interesting how we talk about the economy and yet, underneath that is the breakup of the family, the loss of morality in society," he added.

"Does he know the details? Can he answer the follow-up question and the follow-up to the follow-up question? I'm not sure if that's clear yet," he continued.

"But if he has the substance behind '999' and the other proposals he's put out, then he'll give Mitt Romney a good run for his money," he said.

Whoever ends up being the Republican candidate, many wonder if he or she can beat President Barack Obama?

Luntz said judging by the polls, it could be difficult for Obama to win.

"I've never seen a presidential candidate with Obama's current numbers who has succeeded in winning for president. But 2012 isn't a traditional election year," he explained. "The level of anger and divisiveness and dissonance is so great on the left and on the right."

"The Tea Party, the Wall Street protests -- we're all agitated and we're all yelling about it," Luntz said. "If the Republicans get their act together... Obama loses."

Mark Martin

CBN News Reporter

Mark Martin is a reporter and anchor at CBN News, covering various issues from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East and traveled to Bahrain to cover stories on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkMartinCBN and "like" him at Facebook.com/MarkMartinCBN.